I used Elite Exteriors to renovate a 650 square foot condo in 2022. The project was supposed to take 3 months. It took 10 months. I was in New York, so was not able to be on site to help facilitate the timeline.
The interest rates were under 3% when the project was set to finish. By the time they actually finished they were 6.5%, and I had to refinance because I was on a 1 year construction loan. Now I’m locked in for 30 years at 6.5% instead of 3%, costing me an extra $250 per month of unnecessary interest, which could have been prevented if they didn’t lie to me about the timeline.
The floor boards were not grouted [EDIT: floor boards were not nailed or secured in any way], just laid in, so they buckle slightly and are not level.
The contract says he would install a hood vent above the stove — it was never installed.
The bathroom was supposed to have a half glass partition — but they installed the water source on the OPEN SIDE, so water was splashing out constantly onto the floor. They refused to install a door at first but ultimately did, which I appreciate (it was a faulty design on their part, therefore they were obligated to fix it). EDIT: it was not in the contract initially bc you would expect they design the half glass partition correctly, not with the shower head on the OPEN SIDE WHERE WATER IS SPLASHING OUT ONTO THE BRAND NEW FLOORS!!
The AC unit they installed was $2k and broke within less than a year, and the warranty was not honored because they said I did not file the warranty paperwork (I was never told I had to file paperwork).
They ordered granite counters when I told them I wanted quartz. This had to be corrected (and was). But should not have happened in the first place. EDIT: the quartz counters were requested from the beginning. I stated upfront please do not order granite (I have email records to prove this)
I had to beg them to finish the cabinets bc there were un-stained portions that looked unfinished.
I also was told by someone that used to work there that Ron often “cuts corners” where he can, and gets away with it.
Overall they did a pretty good job with everything and it looks nice (the only reason I am giving 2 stars instead of 1), but took way too long, which had severe financial impact on me due to the climbing interest rates. 3 months vs 10 months is not reasonable. Imaging paying $250 per month for 30 years (this amounts to $90k of unnecessary interest). This is the biggest reason for the bad review.
I recommend establishing a timeline, and if they don’t finish in time — have written in the contract that “x” amount of dollars will be decreased from the balance owed each month the project goes unfinished.
If you are working with Elite Exteriors from out of state, they will not prioritize you. They will drag their feet and it will take much longer than they tell you. They will string you along to appease you, but ultimately they’re gonna do what they want.
Please supervise them working bc the floorboards are absolutely not done properly. They were expensive and beautiful, but improperly installed so now they’re not level, they buckle when walking, and they look and feel unstable.
Overall, a very poor experience in the end. Recommend either going with a different company or be local to supervise the renovations. The company strung me along and dragged their feet to barely finish (there are still minor unfinished parts).
EDIT: I was the easiest person to work with. I was polite, never demanded anything, worked with their limitations with COVID/supply chain issues, and overall very understanding.
Please look up the bad reviews and not only the good ones if you want to make a fully informed decision.